If there is one word Dwane Casey will not have associated with his team this season, it’s the word ‘soft.’

Or any variation of that word.

In Casey’s world, a soft team is a team that is not playing well defensively, and Casey already saw that team last season. He is determined never to see that again.

“We’re adding more players to do that now,” Casey said. “We’re adding Tyler (Hansbrough). We’re going in with a defensive mentality that we did in Year 1 ( two years ago) .

“We have to have people thinking: ‘Ah, man, I don’t want to go play Toronto tonight’ and do it legally without having a lot of fouls, but do it physically in a legal way. I thought we accomplished that in Year 1 and I thought last year we took a step back. Now we have to get back to our core.”

But Psycho-T alone isn’t going to get the job done and Casey is well aware of that.

“Tyler does it, Quincy (Acy) does it, Amir (Johnson) does it, JV (Jonas Valanciunas) is going to be a year better at it,” Casey said of playing tough defence that makes an opponent know you’re there in the most direct terms. “That’s going to be our focus from Day 1, back to a defensive identity. And it’s going to be laid out. If you don’t play defence you are not going to play. You can’t. We can’t win without a defensive mentality.”

But clearly the search isn’t over and the next week and a bit here might just provide an addition or two in that regard.

An interesting player in that regard that is currently wearing the Raptors uniform in Vegas is 6-foot-8 forward Trevor Mbakwe.

Mbakwe was a standout for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and went into the draft expecting to hear his name called at some point.

But like many in the same position, Mbakwe didn’t get his wish, and now he’s here basically showcasing his game for any and all interested parties.

The Raptors aren’t about to tip their hand one way or the other but there is no denying Mbakwe’s skill set is exactly the type of player who would fit Toronto’s needs.

Mbakwe is a tenacious rebounder with a penchant for doing whatever it takes or put another way, he doesn’t shy away from the rough stuff. He often gets compared to Reggie Evans in the way he goes about his work. It’s an even better comparison now that, like Evans, he has gone undrafted and will have to work his way into the league the hard way.

“I’m one of those guys who likes to do the dirty work, just do what it takes to win games,” Mbakwe said. “Rebound, defend, block shots and play tough defence. There’s a lot that goes into it. Unfortunately I didn’t get drafted but I think I can still come out here and show teams that I can help them in that department.”

Mbakwe smiles when it’s pointed out that his talents on a basketball court are exactly what the Raptors would put in a help wanted ad were they so inclined to advertise their needs.

“Yeah, I see they just signed Hansbrough and you hear they are trying to build an organization that has that toughness. I definitely feel I could help this team, but if not, there’s an opportunity here to get to somebody’s training camp.”

It certainly can’t hurt Mbakwe’s chances that he’s got support in the form of Minnesota coach Vince Taylor who just happens to be a former member of Casey’s coaching staff when he was in Minnesota and still a good friend.

When you’re looking for work, every little angle can help.

“I definitely heard lots of great things about Toronto and hopefully I get the opportunity,” Mbakwe said.

This could very well be a case of two parties equally needing each other.

What Casey knows is the more toughness and defensively responsible players he can bring in, the better it’s going to be. He needs a to get that defensive identity back.

“If we don’t we’re going to be like we were last year,” he said. “ Not real good offensively or defensively.”

TOP PICKS GET ROLLING

There is not a whole lot in the way of big draft picks playing in the Vegas Summer League this time around.

In fact, only five of the 14 lottery picks will play here while the Orlando circuit, which is the smaller of the two leagues and finished up on Thursday, had six of the top 14.

Four of the five that are here, though, were in action on Saturday.

Bobcats’ Cody Zeller had a mediocre start to his Summer League, going 4-for-9 from the field for eight points and five rebounds in a 69-67 win over the San Antonio Spurs entry.

The Raptors’ first opponent in summer league play was the Miami Heat and the roster included a familiar name for Toronto basketball fans.

Canadian Myck Kabongo hasn’t had the best of times of late, but he’s here with the Heat looking to catch on.

Kabongo came straight from Orlando’s summer league, where he got into three games and averaged just over 16 minutes and 1.7 points a game. His June didn’t go so well either. He went undrafted before agreeing to join the Heat’s summer team.

It wasn’t the start Kabongo had hoped for in Orlando but he’ll have another chance in Vegas.

The irony of the situation is that there is at least a better chance of NBA employment in Toronto, assuming there is interest on the Raptors’ part, as they have two point guards, one without a day of NBA experience and are looking for a third one, presumably on the cheap. In Miami, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole already reside limiting any chances Kabongo would have.

QUITE THE DAY

Eventful day for Kings’ draft pick McLemore. Prior to some summer league action, he signed his first NBA contract. Then, on the court, he went down midway through the first half and wound up with Terrico White landing heavily directly on his left knee.

McLemore limped off the court but did return before the half ended, though he probably wished he hadn’t, shooting 4-for-23 for the afternoon.

NOT A PASS KIND OF GUY

The Timberwolves got a first look at their 14th overall selection (obtained from Utah in a draft night trade) in Muhammad. The former UCLA newsmaker played just over 19 minutes and, while it took him a while to remember what it was like to actually pass the basketball, he did turn heads when he finally did give one up on a nice inside feed for a basket. Muhammad finished with five points in just over 19 minutes.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Devoe Joseph, the lone Canadian on the Raptors Summer League roster had to be feeling a little of the pressure after the game that his older brother did on Friday night.

Cory Joseph, here for a second summer league with the Spurs, had 19 points, including the game-winner, with four seconds remaining in their opener.

Devoe got his first crack later Saturday night as the Raps took on Miami.

The two will go head-to-head for the first time since a high school all-star game when the Raptors and Spurs match up tonight.